Glen Robert Jenkins was born the son of Wallace Jenkins and Leone (Davis) Jenkins on December 28, 1940, in Licking, Missouri, and died September 26, 2016, at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 75 years.
He was united in marriage on April 22, 1960, at Alton, Missouri, to Joyce Morris.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Jenkins of the home in Alton, Missouri; four sons, Randal Jenkins and wife, Kelly of Van Buren, Missouri, Kevin Jenkins and wife, Kristie of Batesville, Arkansas, Morris Jenkins and wife, Janine of Gainesville, Missouri and Lyndal Jenkins of Annapolis, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Riley, Jaysa, Brady, Michia, Kessie, Jenna, Landry, and Kamie Jenkins; two sisters, Wylma Heiskell and husband, Jim of Alton, Missouri and LuAnn Jackson and husband, Bob of Columbia City, Oregon; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Leone Jenkins; and one brother, Donald Ray Jenkins.
Glen was active in his community. He served as Mayor for the City of Alton for many years and was also on the Alton City Council. While serving in these positions, he was instrumental in obtaining a grant to build the new Alton Elementary School building. He was a volunteer fire fighter, serving as Fire Chief for a period of time.
He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Oregon County Soil and Water Conservation District for many years.
Glen did custom farm work in Alton and the surrounding areas for numerous years, and was known by the CB handle, “tractor man”.
He will best be remembered for his dedication as a school bus driver for the Alton R-IV School District, driving a total of 51 years. With his kind and gentle nature, Glen earned the respect of the students, as well as that of their parents.
Glen will be remembered for his great love of sports and his devotion to family. He will truly be missed by his family and the community in which he lived.
Funeral services will be Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer.
The body will lie in state at the funeral home on Friday, September 30th from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Burial will be in Huddleston Cemetery under the direction of Carter Funeral Home in Thayer.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Gideons or the Alton School Foundation. Donations may be left at the Carter Funeral Home.
September 29, 2016 @ 6:18 am
Sorry to hear about Glen’s death. I counted him as a friend. We graduated from high school in the class of 1958. Glen was a great supporter of the FFA while I was teaching vocational agriculture. I remember the first black eye I acquired was in the field beside the Jenkins house where we were playing baseball in an area too small for baseball, a grounder off Glen’s bat took a hop and hit me in the eye.
Esther and I send our prayers and sympathy to the family.
September 29, 2016 @ 7:18 am
So sorry for your loss. Mr. Jenkins was my bus driver when I was in the third grade. I remember a little boy on the route who would always extend his hand to Mr. Jenkins before he exited the bus. Mr. Jenkins always reached out to return the hand shake. Mrs. Jenkins, you and your family are in my prayers at this difficult time.
September 29, 2016 @ 3:30 pm
So sorry for your loss. We love Glen, Joyce, and the boys! What fun we had on the many trips to ballgames, Worlds of Fun, and Senior Trips! Great memories! Glen was a kind man who loved kids – and they loved him! Our love and prayers are extended to Joyce and the family.
September 30, 2016 @ 12:01 am
Glen was such a kind and gentle person. He was at so many school activities that he was almost considered a fixture. Alice always wanted to ride his bus if there was a choice. He will be missed by the whole community. Eleanor and I will remember the family in our prayers as they adjust to this loss.
September 30, 2016 @ 7:15 am
Love and prayers for all of you today and the days ahead. From reading Glen’s obituary, sounds like he was a very special man to his family as well as his community.
September 30, 2016 @ 11:10 am
I remember how he was so helpful to teachers, students, and the many people he drove to various events. I also graduated with him in 1958. My thoughts and prayers go out to Joyce and the boys and their families.
September 30, 2016 @ 12:46 pm
So sorry to hear of your fathers passing…May The Lord wrap his loving arms around you, giving you peace and comfort during this time…
September 30, 2016 @ 5:25 pm
He was a wonderful and kind man who definitely touched a lot of lives. I can only imagine how many miles he drove over the years, not just on the daily bus route, but all of the athletic competitions, including one AAU trip to Florida. He will be missed, no doubt. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the whole family.
September 30, 2016 @ 5:40 pm
So sorry for your loss. I taught at Alton for seven years and Glen was my favorite bus driver for all the trips. He was fun and caring and a true joy to be around. He also was a very safe driver and just made you feel safe on his bus – we were at Winona for a game when it started snowing/sleeting and even with a running clock the roads were not good after the JV game but Glen got us home safe and sound. My prayers are with you.
September 30, 2016 @ 6:51 pm
Glen Jenkins was a wonderful man and will be remembered as such. He drove my school bus all the time up until I graduated from high school. He always had a kind word for everyone. God Bless the family in this sad time.
October 1, 2016 @ 8:06 am
Just a word to all the family of Glen to let you know we are thinking of you in this time. David still speaks of the time he and Glen were in the field down on hands and knees looking for clover that they had planted. We speak often of Linda calling Glen captain.